The Paso Fino is born with a gait unique to this breed, and its attitude seems to transmit to the observer that this horse knows its gait is a very special gift that must be executed with style and pride! This totally natural gait does not exhibit the catapulting or exaggerated leg action of man-made gaits; rather the movements are smooth, rhythmic, purposeful, straight, balanced in flexion and synchronous front to rear, resulting in unequaled comfort and smoothness for the rider. The Paso Fino is a graceful, agile and supple equine athlete that uses all four legs with precision and in harmony. With its definite but controlled spirit, natural gait, presence and responsive attitude, the Paso Fino is indeed a rare and desirable equine partner.
The gait of the Paso Fino horse is totally natural and normally exhibited from birth. It is an evenly spaced four-beat gait with each foot contacting the ground independently in a regular sequence at precise intervals creating a rapid, unbroken rhythm. Executed perfectly, the four hoof beats are absolutely even in both cadence and impact. Footfall is in the same sequence as a natural equine walk, i.e., left rear, left fore, right rear, right fore. Propulsion is primarily from the hind limbs and the horse's motion is absorbed in its back and loins, resulting in unequaled smoothness and comfort for the rider.
Along with the cadence of gait, these horses are born displaying different characteristics of that gait: fast, medium, slow, short, extended, low to the ground, high-stepping, and so on. To perform the natural four beat gait at different speeds and degrees of collection is not to perform different "gaits", but rather to perform one "PASO" gait at different degrees of speed and collection. We have called these variations of the gait fino, corto and largo.
Fino, corto and largo should be discussed as different levels of one gait, not three different gaits. The isochronal pattern of footfall and the even 4-beat cadence is maintained throughout! In all the various speeds of the gait the rider should appear virtually motionless in the saddle, and there should be no perceptible up and down motion of the horse's croup!
Classic Fino - Forward speed is very slow, and the footfall is extremely rapid while the steps and extension are exceedingly short. The classic fino horse is ridden with a lot of animation and energy while displaying exacting footfall and great precision. The perfect fino should be like a piaffe in a lateral 4-beat movement that is faster than the eye can see. It is the ultimate degree of collection!
Paso Corto - Forward speed is moderate and ground covering but unhurried. It is executed with medium extension and stride. The degree of collection desired varies with class requirements. In its relaxed form the corto is an ideal trail and pleasure gait. At its most elegant it is snappily executed and exciting to watch. It is the speed most preferred by the horse and rider alike.
Paso Largo - This is the speed form of the gait. The largo is executed with full extension and stride. Forward speed varies with the individual horse since each horse should attain its top speed in harmony with its own natural stride and cadence. It is smooth, balanced, and elegant while maintaining the even 4-beat cadence as well as speed!
The Paso Fino can execute other gaits natural to horses in addition to the Paso Fino gait; the walk - smooth, steady, evenly spaced four-beat gait; the lope - true three-beat gait, slow, smooth, and straight on both leads, with no tendency to mix gaits. Some Paso Finos may also be able to execute other gaits or other levels of movement depending on their training and physical abilities.
